Recently, I lost my reusable water bottle. I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to do some research on reusable water bottles, so that I could be equipped with the knowledge to select what I think would be the best bottle for me. Here are some things that I learned along the way:
Pros and Cons of Plastic vs. Steel
Plastic
- Pro: Cheap
- Pro: Usually dishwasher safe, easy to clean
- Con: Usually not safe for hot liquids or microwave
- Con: Some models still have BPA
- Con: Release of toxins post-UV exposure
Steel
- Pro: Durable, high-quality
- Pro: No fear of toxins, like in plastic
- Pro: Usually dishwasher safe
- Pro: Lightweight
- Con: Can dent easily
- Con: Hot to touch in the sun
- Con: Resource intensive to produce
- DON’T reuse single use plastic, because the bottle will break down and release chemicals; single use bottles are not a reusable bottle replacement
- DON’T put hot liquids into your plastic water bottle, whether it’s single-use or reusable
- DON’T leave your water bottles in the sun
In the end, the type of water bottle you buy is a personal decision. However, it doesn’t hurt to consider these facts, and look into how the water bottles you own, or the ones you may be thinking about buying, line up with them.
Written by Teddi Shapiro, class of 2019